A former media aide to ex-Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, Laolu Akande, has said the withdrawal of police escorts from Very Important Persons (VIPs) will be carried out gradually.
Speaking in an interview on Thursday monitored by Politics Nigeria, Akande noted that although President Bola Tinubu’s directive is commendable, full implementation will take time.
“Clearly, the presidential directive to withdraw police from VIPs and VVIPs is already in progress. Practically, it will take a little while before it is fully implemented,” he said.
According to him, security experts—including serving police officers—have indicated that such a policy cannot be executed hastily.
A few weeks earlier, President Tinubu ordered the removal of police escorts from VIPs amid rising insecurity nationwide, directing the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun, to commence immediate implementation.
However, the directive has faced criticism, with many Nigerians insisting it has not taken effect. Akande attributed the delay to several bottlenecks.
He explained that some individuals were granted police protection due to verified threats, while others, such as foreign investors, consider such security an operational necessity. “It’s fairly complicated,” he said.
Akande added that beyond withdrawal, questions remain about the readiness of the officers to be redeployed into community policing. “Are they ready? Do they have the motivation, equipment, or training?” he asked.
The Senate on Wednesday resolved to investigate what it described as “selective enforcement” of the directive, following complaints that lawmakers were being singled out while other influential individuals continued to enjoy full protection.
Despite the controversies, President Tinubu has insisted there will be no reversal. At the Federal Executive Council meeting on Wednesday, he urged anyone facing security risks due to their duties to contact the IGP for clearance.
He further directed the Minister of Interior to work with the IGP and the Civil Defence Corps to fill any security gaps created by the withdrawal, ensuring no one is left exposed.
